Lisa Counts has announced her retirement from the Rockwood School District after serving eight years as assistant superintendent of supervision of schools.
Her final day with the district will be June 30, 2023.
Board of Education members voted 6-0 on Nov. 17 to accept her retirement. Board member Lynne Midyett was not at the meeting.
“I have loved this position,” said Counts, 52, of Sunset Hills. “I get to work directly with principals and teachers in a variety of ways. As part of my job responsibilities, I supervise the executive directors of elementary education and student services, which has allowed me to experience all facets of our district and see the students thrive in our schools.”
Counts is paid $188,119.60 annually.
District officials have named David Cobb, the current executive director of elementary education, as her replacement, pending board approval.
Superintendent Curtis Cain said Counts is one of many dedicated and skilled educators who works at Rockwood.
“She knows the climate and culture of our buildings and has been critical in nurturing, guiding and supporting education, as well as leadership teams, in the Rockwood School District,” said Cain, who took over as superintendent on July 1.
Counts came to Rockwood after serving as the assistant superintendent of school supervision in the Mehlville School District from 2011-2015.
At Rockwood, she supervises middle and high school principals as well as the executive director of student services and the executive director of elementary education.
Counts said she believes students achieve their best when they feel connected to their school and have a sense of belonging, and that the district’s teachers advance that goal.
“I have made amazing friendships during my time in Rockwood and have worked alongside some of the very best educators in the area,” Counts said. “My best memories in education are all connected to working with teams of teachers, administrators, parents or others to bring great educational services to our schools.”
Counts earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education at Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) in Springfield, and a master’s degree in educational administration from Lindenwood University. She earned a doctorate in educational leadership at St. Louis University.
Counts’ 30-year career in education began in 1993 as an English teacher at Hancock Middle School in St. Louis. She became that school’s assistant principal in 1998 before taking over as principal in 2000.
She left the Hancock Place School District in 2004 to become principal of Holman Middle School in the Pattonville School District, and then became the assistant superintendent of human resources for the Mehlville School District in 2007. She remained in that role until 2011, when she was named assistant superintendent of school supervision.
Counts said she does not have immediate plans after retirement, but said she is looking forward to spending more time with her friends and family.